The University of Cincinnati men's basketball team needs one more win to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bearcats, who have won a record eight straight American Athletic Conference tournament games, look to keep the streak going Sunday in the AAC championship game.
After edging top-seeded Wichita State in the semifinals on Saturday, Cincinnati (12-10) now faces second-seeded Houston (23-3).
More:Cincinnati Bearcats are one victory away from the NCAA Tournament, face Houston for AAC title
Senior guard Keith Williams, who did not play in the second half Saturday due to undisclosed reasons, gets the start for the Bearcats. Williams is joined by freshman Mike Saunders Jr., sophomore Mika Adams-Woods, former Moeller High School standout Jeremiah Davenport and 7-foot-1, 260-pound center Chris Vogt.
UC is 9-3 since returning on Feb. 4 from a 25-day layoff due to COVID-19 issues. One of those three losses came at Houston. The two-time defending AAC tournament champion Bearcats lost by 38 points to the Cougars on Feb. 21.
Cincinnati is playing in its fourth straight AAC tournament championship game. Last season's tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. A win Sunday will send UC to the NCAA Tournament for the 10th consecutive time. Only five other schools have appeared in the last nine events: Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Michigan State and North Carolina.
Houston opens with a 6-0 run, as Vogt picks up two quick fouls and two quick turnovers.
Davenport and Adams-Woods hit back-to-back 3-pointers to help the Bearcats close the gap, but the Cougars lead 10-6 at the first media timeout.
Cincinnati trails 19-11 at the second media timeout. Both Vogt and freshman Tari Eason have two fouls. The Cougars are shooting 64% (7 of 11) from the field and 50% from deep (3 of 6).
Houston guard Quentin Grimes, the AAC Co-Player of the Year, picks up his second foul and heads to the bench with 10:40 to play in the first half.
UC is in a 23-13 hole with 8:29 remaining before halftime. The Bearcats are shooting 31% (5 of 16) from the field.
Houston opens up a 37-22 lead with less than 2:00 to play in the first half.
Source link
